The Sideline – February 20

The Indiana High School Athletic Association announced its sectional pairings for the 2017-18 boys basketball state tournament on Sunday night.

Locally, three teams will compete at the Class 4A Richmond Sectional, while Eastern Hancock is in the 2A Shenandoah Sectional.

The Richmond Sectional opens on Feb. 27 with Greenfield-Central playing Connersville at 6 p.m. Pendleton Heights and New Palestine will play at 7:30 p.m.

The games continue on March 2 with the semifinals. Mt. Vernon faces the winner between Greenfield-Central and Connersville at 6 p.m. Host Richmond will play either Pendleton Heights or New Palestine in the other semifinal at 7:30 p.m.

The championship game is scheduled for March 3 at 7:30 p.m.

The Eastern Hancock Royals open the Shenandoah Sectional against the host Raiders in the opening round at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27, followed by Knightstown vs. Indianapolis Howe at 7:30 p.m.. The winner of the first game will advance to play Irvington in the semifinals on March 2 at 6 p.m.

The winner of the second first-round game will face Triton Central in the other semifinal at 7:30 p.m. on March 2. The championship is March 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Mt. Vernon softball clinic approaching

The Mt. Vernon Marauders softball team will be hosting its annual clinic this week for all girls in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the Mt. Vernon Performance Enhancement Center, located directly across from Mt. Vernon Middle School. Check-in will begin at 8:45 a.m.

Cost for the clinic is $25 per person. Participants will need a helmet, bat and glove.

Mt. Vernon’s third annual Trivia Night will be conducted on Saturday. The event will be held inside the Mt. Vernon High School cafeteria.

Cost to participate is $10 for students and $20 for adults. There will be a $300 grand prize and a 50/50 drawing. Competitors are encouraged to contribute to the event’s dinner. The competition will begin at 7 p.m.